Further Comments on the Pottery from

Romsey Abbey, Hampshire

Ben Jervis Archaeological Report 11
By Ben Jervis MA PIFA

INTRODUCTION
This report provides some additional comments on the pottery excavated at Romsey Abbey,
Hampshire and is designed as a supplement to the pottery report in the site archive by Dr. Andrew
Russel. The report has 2 principle aims, firstly to discuss the pottery in terms of the site phases
outlined in the Romsey Abbey monograph and secondly to better define the wares present,
following the further analysis of pottery from elsewhere in Romsey as well as the study of pottery
from elsewhere in Hampshire. Pottery from later excavations, in 1996, as well as at Abbey Meads
and the Vicarage are also discussed here. The types mentioned here are defined in Jervis, B.
Forthcoming “Medieval Pottery from Romsey: An Overview” and fabric descriptions have been
lodged with Hampshire Museum Service.

DISCUSSION BY PHASE
Phase 2: Earliest Soil Horizon
Five sherds of Roman pottery were recovered during the excavations in 1988. These will not be
discussed further.

Phase 3: Earliest Features Cutting or Sealing the Phase 2 Soil (table 1)

Only 2 sherds were recovered, from the 1988 excavations. These consist of a single small sherd of
prehistoric pottery, which is residual, and a single sherd of Wessex Coarseware. Wessex Coarse
dates from the 11th-14th centuries and therefore this sherd is likely to be intrusive.

Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Prehistoric 1 1
Wessex
Coarseware 1 12
Total 2 13
Table 1: Pottery from Phase 3

No pottery was recovered from phase 4.

Phase 5: Timber Structures and Clay Floor and Phase 6: Graves Aligned NW-SE
Two small sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from this phase. They are both residual. A
single residual sherd of prehistoric pottery was recovered from phase 6.

Phase 7 and 8: Late Saxon Graves on an East-West Alignment (table 2)

These two phases are discussed together as there seems to be a degree of uncertainty as to which
phase some of the graves belong. A total of 98 sherds were recovered from features of this date but
many would appear to be intrusive. The earliest sherds are 9 fragments of Roman pottery, which are
residual. The bulk of sherds are of Late Saxon or Saxo-Norman date. The Late Saxon wares consist of
5 sherds of Flint Tempered Ware. A further sherd of Coarse Flint and Chalk Tempered Ware are also
likely to be contemporary. Eight sherds of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware and 21 sherds of Wessex
Coarseware are also present. These may be contemporary with the very latest part of this phase, the
11th-12th centuries, but do persist into the 13th and 14th centuries so are potentially intrusive. There
are 11 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware. These may be contemporary, as there is a Late Saxon tradition of
wheelthrown sandy wares (to which the products of the Michelmersh kilns belong), however sandy
wares of this type are ubiquitous throughout the sequence. Their number does suggest that they are
contemporary with the filling of these graves however. All of this contemporary material is
fragmentary and all sherds are likely to have been redeposited during the filling of graves.

There is a great deal of intrusive pottery present in these deposits, demonstrative of later
disturbance. There are 8 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware and a single sherd of Southampton-type
Sandy Ware, both types date to the 13th-14th centuries. There are 10 sherds of fabric MQ4, which
dates to the 14th-15th century and a single sherd of Late Medieval Sandy Ware. Post Medieval Wares
are represented by sherds of Tudor Green and Verwood. There are also sherds of 5 undated fabrics
present, given the small number of sherds and the disturbed nature of the deposits it is not possible
to date them closely on the basis of their presence here:

ARG1 is an oxidised ware with a fairly fine matrix, the only visible inclusions are large clay pellets. It is possible
that sherds of this fabric are actually from ceramic building material.

ARGmq1 is pinkish buff throughout. Inclusions consist of occasional sub-rounded, medium sized quartz grains
th th
and common sub-rounded, iron rich clay pellets. It is likely to be of 12 -14 century date.

FEQfqfe1 is an oxidised sandy ware. Inclusions consist of abundant fine, iron stained and non-iron stained
quartz with occasional black iron ore. The date of this fabric is unknown.

MQargf2 is unevenly fired. Inclusions consist of sparse medium sized quartz inclusions with occasional flint and
clay pellets. It may be of Saxo-Norman date.

MQfe2 is white/buff throughout. Inclusions consist of moderately abundant, medium sized quartz with
th th
occasional black iron ore. This fabric is likely to date from the 13 -14 century on the basis of its occurrence
elsewhere in Romsey.

Phase 9: Construction of the Norman Choir and Crossing

A single sherd of FQ5, a medieval sandy ware, probably of 12th-14th century date was present. This
may be contemporary with the deposit.
 Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight ASW
Roman 9 35 4
Flint tempered ware 5 53 11
Flint and sand tempered ware 1 8 8
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 7 38 5
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 5 5
Wessex Coarseware 21 209 10
Fine sandy ware 11 38 3
Laverstock-type Ware 8 54 7
Southampton Sandy Ware 1 2 2
ARG1 1 22 22
ARGmq1 1 18 18
FEQfqfe1 3 14 5
MQargf2 2 23 12
MQfe2 3 19 6
MQ4 10 59 6
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 1 1 1
Tudor Green 3 4 1
Verwood 3 20 7
Misc. Medieval 1 3 3
Unid 5 26 5
Total 98 653
Table 2: Pottery from Phases 7 and 8

Phases 10-15: Demolition of the Late Saxon Abbey and Construction of the Norman Abbey
(table 3)
Pottery from these phases has been amalgamated as the report does not clearly determine which
phase every context belongs to. As well as including contexts from the 1970’s and 1980’s
excavations, a series of layers from the 1996 excavations can also be assigned to this phase.

Seven small sherds of Roman pottery are residual in this phase. Two large sherds of Flint Tempered
Ware, of Late Anglo-Saxon date, as well as some of the Fine Sandy Ware may relate to the
demolition of the Late Saxon Abbey. Two sherds of glazed Winchester-type Ware are present. There
are 12 sherds of Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered wares present. As elsewhere in Romsey the
most abundant ware is Wessex Coarseware, whilst there are also 148 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware,
some of which are likely to date to this period. The bulk of this pottery was recovered from layers
(6010) and (6012) from the 1988 excavation. Some of the other medieval wares are also likely to be
contemporary with this phase, which covers the 12th-13th centuries. The 15 sherds of Laverstock-
type Ware, 5 sherds of South Hampshire Redware, 39 sherds of Southampton-type Sandy Ware and
4 sherds of Saintonge Whiteware are all contemporary with this phase. Elsewhere in Romsey the
flint tempered fabric FQF1 has also been dated to the 12th-14th centuries, whilst fabric MQfe2 is also
a 13th-14th century type. Fabric FQfeq1 is also likely to be of Saxo-Norman date, being a variant of
Wessex Coarseware. Fabric MQfe3, an oxidised sandy ware with a reduced core and common quartz
and black iron ore inclusions, may also date to the 13th-14th centuries. Fabric MQfe4 is an oxidised
sandy ware with abundant quartz grains and common black iron ore. The date of this fabric is
unknown, There are intrusive sherds present however, consisting of 37 sherds of MQ4 and a sherd
of MQ3, later medieval sandy wares which date to the 14th-15th centuries, 2 sherds of Spanish Coarse
Ware olive jar, likely to date to the 15th-16th centuries and sherds of several post medieval types. The
post medieval types include Verwood, Post Medieval Redware, Tudor Green and Refined
Earthenwares. Some of these later wares are present in the structural features as well as the make-
up and demolition layers, demonstrating that there was a great deal of disturbance in the post
medieval period. Most sherds are contemporary with this phase however and it would seem that a
fairly typical range of locally produced coarsewares and glazed sandy wares from slightly further
afield were being consumed at the abbey, with a small quantity of imported pottery matching the
quantity and types present elsewhere in Romsey.

Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Roman 7 51
Flint tempered ware 2 38
Flint and sand tempered ware 8 51
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 4 38
Flint tempered with coarse sand 1 2
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 13
Winchester-type Ware 2 28
Wessex Coarseware 302 3952
Fine sandy ware 149 1630
Laverstock-type Ware 15 183
South Hampshire Redware 5 77
Southampton Sandy Ware 39 686
Saintonge Whiteware 4 37
FQF1 2 57
FQfeq1 8 126
MQfe2 2 16
MQfe3 3 18
MQfe4 3 79
MQ3 1 2
MQ4 37 664
Spanish Coarseware 2 22
Tudor Green 2 4
Verwood 11 309
Tin Glazed Ware 1 8
Post Medieval Redware 7 49
Pearlware 1 2
Refined Earthenware 1 4
English Stoneware 1 1
Misc. Medieval 8 89
Unid 1 10
Total 631 8251

Table 3: The Pottery from Phases 10-14

Phase 14: Construction of the Cloisters and Domestic Range
Some pottery can definitely be assigned to phase 14 and therefore this is considered separately. The
pottery comes from 2 distinct areas, so these will be discussed separately.

The 1974 Excavations (table 4)

A total of 22 sherds can be assigned to this phase from the 1974 excavations. Two sherds of Roman
pottery are residual and it is likely that a single sherd of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware is too. Eight
sherds of Wessex Coarseware as well as a sherd of Laverstock-type Ware and sherds of FQfeq1 and
MQfe3 are contemporary. It is unclear whether the 7 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware are contemporary
or residual. A single sherd of MQ4 is likely to be intrusive.

Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Roman 2 30
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 1 13
Wessex Coarseware 8 104
Fine sandy ware 7 63
Laverstock-type Ware 1 2
FQfeq1 1 49
MQfe3 1 12
MQ4 1 3
Total 22 276
Table 4: Phase 4 Pottery from the 1974 Excavations.

The 1988 Excavations (table 5)

Considerably more pottery was recovered from features from the 1988 excavations at the northern
side of the abbey. Again the most abundant type is Wessex Coarseware, of which 215 sherds are
present. Two small sherds of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware may be residual however 2 larger
sherds of Fine Sandy Ware are likely to be contemporary with this phase. Definitely contemporary
are 3 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware, 2 sherds of South Hampshire Redware and 4 sherds of
Saintonge Whiteware. A similar range of less common wares are present to in the phase 10-15
deposits, including FQfeqf1 (possibly of Saxo-Norman date), Fqarg1 and Mqfe2. There is intrusive
material present, in the form of sherds of MQ3, MQ4, Late Medieval Sandy Ware and Post Medieval
Redware, indicating some later disturbance to the deposits.

Phase 15: Later 13th Century Rebuilding (table 6)

A total of 195 sherds were recovered from deposits dated to phase 15. Much of this would seem to
be intrusive and may relate to dumping during the dissolution. Several sherds can be dated to the
later 13th century; 5 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware and a sherd of Southampton-type Sandy Ware.
There are a number of residual sherds present, including 3 sherds of Roman pottery and Anglo-
Saxon/Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered and Chalk Tempered Wares. Several sherds date to
the later 14th or 15th century, including 3 small sherds of MQ4, 2 sherds of maiolica, 8 sherds of
Tudor Green and 4 sherds of Spanish Coarseware. The remaining sherds date to the 15 th-19th
century, including fragments of Border Ware, Verwood, Post Medieval Redware and industrially
produced wares. Some of the 14th-15th century types may relate to use during this period, the later
wares clearly demonstrate later disturbance.
 Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Flint and sand tempered ware 1 4
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 1 4
Wessex Coarseware 215 3008
Fine sandy ware 2 36
Laverstock-type Ware 3 44
South Hampshire Redware 2 18
Saintonge Whiteware 4 24
FEQfqfe1 1 6
FQarg1 1 10
MQfe2 22 364
MQ3 1 8
MQ4 28 694
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 1 6
Post Medieval Redware 1 20
Misc. Medieval 40 171
Unid 1 64
Total 324 4481
Table 5: Phase 14 Pottery from the 1988 Excavations

Phase 16: Construction of the Additional Parish Aisle on the North Side
Two small sherds were recovered from this phase. A sherd of Fine Sandy Ware is likely to be
intrusive, whilst a sherd of MQ4 may be contemporary with this construction activity.

Phase 17: Dissolution(table 7)

The dissolution saw a number of demolition layers form across the site. These comprise a mixture of
contemporary and residual pottery. The presence of some intrusive material is demonstrative either
of later disturbance or some of these deposits dating to several centuries after the dissolution.

When dealing with the residual wares it must be considered that some of this pottery may not have
come from the Abbey Precinct, and may have been brought in from elsewhere in Romsey. That said,
the wares present are typical of those in the earlier phases, although it must be pointed out that a
similar range of wares were consumed within the Abbey as elsewhere in the town. These residual
wares consist of Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered Wares, Wessex Coarseware and the usual
range of 13th-14th century glazed sandy wares. There are sherds of Saintonge Whiteware present, as
in earlier phases. There are 2 new types present however, 2 small sherds of Rouen-type Ware and 2
sherds of Surrey Whiteware. Both of these types are known elsewhere in Romsey and it is
conceivable that these were consumed in small quantities at the Abbey.

Only a small proportion of the sherds date to the late medieval and early post medieval periods.
There are sherds of Late Medieval Sandy Ware, including MQ3 and MQ4 which are common in
Romsey. Surrey wares are present in the form of both Tudor Green and Border Ware. Sherds of
Verwood and Post Medieval Redware are likely to be intrusive, as these did not come into currency
in large numbers until the 17th century. The same can be said of sherds of Tin Glazed Ware and
Refined Earthenware. Imports are also present. There are 5 sherds of Rhenish Stoneware and a
single sherd of Westerwald Stoneware, types known elsewhere in Romsey. More unusual are sherds
of Maiolica and Spanish Coarseware, although these are both present in small quantities elsewhere.
Their presence may be suggestive of consumption of these wares and their contents within the
Abbey, although they could have been waste brought in from elsewhere. Two small sherds have
been identified as Low Countries Redware, however this is not known elsewhere in Romsey and may
actually be Post Medieval Redware.

The dissolution saw massive demolition activity, leading to the redeposition of residual material and
the dumping of contemporary waste in the Abbey Precinct. Much of this may not have been used
within the Abbey itself. The presence of later wares is demonstrative of continued dumping in this
area, potentially into the 19th century.

Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Roman 3 17
Flint and sand tempered ware 1 2
Flint tempered with coarse sand 1 20
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 4 11
Chalk tempered ware 1 13
Wessex Coarseware 2 32
Laverstock-type Ware 5 94
Southampton Sandy Ware 1 5
MQ4 3 12
Maiolica 2 21
Spanish Coarseware 4 200
Rhenish Stoneware 12 666
Border Ware 13 687
Tudor Green 8 69
Verwood 1 21
Post Medieval Redware 13 556
Post Medieval Brown Glazed 5 75
Tin Glazed Ware 1 8
Pearlware 11 104
Porcelain 6 24
Refined Earthenware 47 188
Creamware 39 164
English Stoneware 8 61
Flower Pot 3 46
Misc. Medieval 1 3
Total 195 3099
Table 6: Pottery from Phase 15 Deposits

Phase 18: Post Dissolution (table 8)

As with the phase 17 deposits it must be considered that much of the residual material was brought
in from elsewhere in Romsey, whilst later pottery may also represent deposition from elsewhere in
the town. Much of the pottery from these deposits has simply been recorded as ‘medieval’ Because
of this the deposits will not be discussed in detail, but peculiarities will be pointed out. Several early
medieval wares are present in these deposits, including sherds of Shell Tempered Ware (rare in
Romsey as a whole), Portchester-type Ware (the only sherd of this ware in Romsey) and Crystalline
Tempered Ware. A single sherd of Saintonge Polychrome Ware is present. There are a number of
 Sherd Sherd
Ware Count Weight
Flint and sand tempered ware 3 24
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 2 1
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 7
Chalk tempered ware 3 98
Winchester-type Ware 1 10
Wessex Coarseware 52 605
Fine sandy ware 14 119
Laverstock-type Ware 32 351
South Hampshire Redware 3 7
Southampton Sandy Ware 8 133
Surrey Whiteware 2 12
Saintonge Whiteware 4 22
Rouen-type Ware 2 4
FEQfqfe1 1 7
FQarg1 13 105
FQfearg1 1 15
FQfeq1 3 42
MQargf1 1 36
MQfe3 3 64
MQfearg1 1 2
FQ5 2 28
MQ3 1 8
MQ4 23 248
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 3 13
Low Countries Redware 2 7
Maiolica 1 2
Spanish Coarseware 1 19
Rhenish Stoneware 5 98
Westerwald-type Stoneware 1 19
Border Ware 1 28
Tudor Green 36 148
Post Medieval Sandy Ware 1 8
Verwood 77 2207
Post Medieval Redware 3 116
Post Medieval Brown Glazed 2 18
Tin Glazed Ware 1 8
Refined Earthenware 123 7596
Flower Pot 5 18
Misc. Medieval 12 109
Total 450 12362
Table 7: Pottery from Dissolution Deposits
Ware Sherd Count Sherd Weight
Roman 2 11
Flint tempered ware 2 17
Flint and sand tempered ware 6 174
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 5 17
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 8
Chalk tempered ware 3 26
Shell tempered Ware 1 8
Portchester-type Ware 1 16
Crystalline tempered 3 128
Wessex Coarseware 39 378
Fine sandy ware 9 90
Laverstock-type Ware 5 91
South Hampshire Redware 4 85
Saintonge Whiteware 9 103
Saintonge Polychrome 1 8
CQfe1 1 9
FEQ1 1 14
FEQfqfe1 3 8
FQarg1 2 50
FQfeq1 1 15
MQargf1 1 5
MQfe2 2 112
MQfe4 1 8
MQfearg2 1 8
MQ3 5 121
MQ4 4 38
Low Countries Redware 1 3
Maiolica 1 2
Spanish Coarseware 1 44
Rhenish Stoneware 4 42
Border Ware 1 10
Tudor Green 8 29
Raeren-type Stoneware 1 39
Frechen-type Stoneware 2 18
Westerwald Stoneware 2 20
 Post Medieval Sandy Ware 4 72
Verwood 162 3478
Post Medieval Redware 9 256
Post Medieval Brown Glazed 3 18
Tin Glazed Ware 4 32
Porcelain 8 41
Red Stoneware 1 8
Staffordshire White Salt Glazed Stoneware 5 8
Refined Earthenware 100 655
Industrial Slipware 1 1
Creamware 13 90
English Stoneware 54 1583
Flower Pot 17 115
Misc. Medieval 1021 10659
Misc. Post Medieval 1 48
Total 1537 18819
Table 8: Pottery from Post-Dissolution Deposits

industrially produced ‘Staffordshire-type’ wares, including Creamware, White Salt Glazed Stoneware
and Industrial Slipware present. Their presence is demonstrative of continued dumping in the Abbey
Precinct.

POTTERY FROM UNPHASED DEPOSITS (TABLES 9, 10 AND 11)

A further 261 sherds were recovered from unphased deposits within the Abbey Precinct. Most of
these sherds are Wessex Coarseware or of post medieval date. Some wares are present in these
deposits which are not known from elsewhere within the precinct. These include a sherd of Mid-
Saxon Organic Tempered Ware as well as sherds of various minor wares. These include FEQ1,
possibly a Dorset Whiteware and FQ2 a form of Fine Sandy Ware. It is not possible to date these
wares based on their presence in these deposits.

Pottery has also been recovered from 2 other small evaluations which took place outside of the
precinct. These have not been related to the main Abbey phasing and will be considered separately.

At Abbey Meads a series of layers were excavated. Most of the pottery would appear to be of 13 th-
14th century date, consisting of 41 sherds of Wessex Coarseware, with Laverstock-type Ware, South
Hampshire Redware, Southampton Sandy Ware and Local Whiteware all being present. (table 10)
There are also sherds of Saintonge Whiteware and Saintonge Polychrome Ware. Therefore the 13th-
14th century assemblage is similar, in broad terms, to that from elsewhere in the Abbey Precinct.
There is a single sherd of Medieval Chalk Tempered Ware. Definite late 14th century type are present
in the form of MQ3, MQ4 and Late Medieval Sandy Ware. FEQ1 may be a Dorset Whiteware whilst
FEQ3 appears to be a late 14th century ware.
 Sherd Sherd
Ware Name Count Weight
Prehistoric 2 65
Roman 10 122
Mid Saxon Organic Tempered 1 3
Flint tempered ware 4 64
Flint and sand tempered ware 11 60
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 8 44
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 7
Chalk tempered ware 3 13
Winchester-type Ware 1 7
Wessex Coarseware 38 376
Fine sandy ware 10 84
Laverstock-type Ware 1 29
South Hampshire Redware 4 70
Southampton Sandy Ware 1 96
FEQ1 1 4
FEQfqfe1 2 7
FQ2 2 13
FQarg1 2 13
FQarg2 1 3
FQarg3 1 12
FQc1 1 6
FQfeq1 1 15
MQargf1 3 80
MQfe2 2 16
MQfe4 1 4
FQ5 2 15
MQ4 6 105
Spanish Coarseware 1 63
Border Ware 3 20
Tudor Green 9 19
Raeren-type Stoneware 2 13
Westerwald Stoneware 2 15
Post Medieval Sandy Ware 14 67
Verwood 74 3263
Post Medieval Redware 1 5
Post Medieval Brown Glazed 1 3
Tin Glazed Ware 3 12
Refined Earthenware 15 94
Creamware 3 22
English Stoneware 9 191
Flower Pot 3 111
Unid 1 40
Total 261 5271
Table 9: Pottery from Unphased Deposits
 Ware SC SW
Winchester-type Ware 2 111
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury
type) 3 19
Flint tempered with coarse sand 1 4
Wessex Coarseware 41 619
Fine sandy ware 11 108
FQfeq1 4 90
Laverstock-type Ware 13 159
South Hampshire Redware 3 112
Southampton Sandy Ware 2 23
Local Whiteware 2 15
Saintonge Polychrome 1 7
Saintonge Whiteware 3 50
Medieval chalk tempered ware 1 14
FEQ1 2 7
FEQ3 1 6
FQ4 2 88
FQarg1 3 64
MQ3 3 39
MQ4 7 72
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 1 4
Misc. Medieval 5 121
Total 111 1732
Table 10: Pottery from Abbey Meads

Excavations at the Vicarage site in 1988 uncovered a stream channel as well as a series of layers
overlying it. The 380 sherds are generally earlier in date than those from Abbey Meads (table 11).
The most common type is Wessex Coarseware (120 sherds), but there are a number of Anglo-Saxon
and Saxo-Norman types present. These include sherds of Flint Tempered Ware, Flint and Sand
Tempered Ware, Chalk Tempered Ware, Flint and Chalk Tempered Ware and Crystalline Tempered
Ware. Thirteen sherds of Fine Sandy Ware may also date to this period. Some later 13th-14th century
types are present, in the form of sherds of Laverstock-type Ware, Southampton-type Sandy Ware
and Surrey Whiteware. The latest sherds are 2 pieces of MQ4, whilst sherds of other flint tempered
(MQargf1) and chalk tempered (FQc1) of uncertain date are also present. There are also 7 sherds of
Roman pottery, which are residual. Most of the pottery was recovered from the stream channel and
this would suggest that this feature was filled during the 11th-14th centuries. Most of the later wares
came from a single context (19), perhaps indicating that the stream was filled over a long period of
time. The average sherd weight is generally low (10g for the assemblage as a whole), perhaps
indicating that the stream channel was filled with redeposited material, perhaps with material which
entered the stream during natural silting. Sherds of earlier types are generally larger, perhaps
indicating some secondary deposition in the stream channel during the Saxo-Norman period, but
this is difficult to determine on the basis of such a small assemblage.
 Ware SC SW
Roman 7 78
Flint tempered ware 1 18
Flint tempered with coarse sand 174 1414
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 2 37
Chalk tempered ware 11 85
Crystalline tempered 1 5
Flint and sand tempered ware 24 390
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury
type) 5 32
Wessex Coarseware 120 1586
Fine sandy ware 13 172
Laverstock-type Ware 11 74
Southampton Sandy Ware 3 13
Surrey Whiteware 1 1
FEQfqfe1 1 7
FQc1 1 4
MQargf1 2 34
MQ4 2 2
Misc. Medieval 1 10
Total 380 3962
Table 11: Pottery from The Vicarage Excavations.

CHARACTERISATION OF THE ASSEMBLAGE

Clearly the deposits are greatly disturbed and residuality and later disturbance are problems in
interpreting this assemblage. It is possible however to offer a characterisation of the assemblage,
both in terms of the wares and vessels present, to allow comparisons with elsewhere in the town.
For this purpose a division has been made between pre- and post-dissolution deposits.

Wares Present (table 12)

Residual Roman and Prehistoric pottery is present in both pre- and post- dissolution deposits,
demonstrating that residuality occurs throughout the assemblage. The earliest medieval pottery is a
single sherd of Mid-Saxon Organic Tempered Ware. This was recovered from an unphased deposit,
so cannot be taken as evidence of early-mid Anglo-Saxon occupation in the area. A single sherd of
Shell Tempered Ware was recovered from a post-dissolution deposit. This sherd is difficult to
interpret as this is not a common ware in Romsey as a whole. As elsewhere in Romsey, Chalk
Tempered and Flint and Chalk Tempered Wares are the most common Late Anglo-Saxon wares in
the assemblage. These were principally recovered from pre-dissolution deposits, however many
were residual in later contexts. Therefore, these cannot be directly related to the occupation of the
Anglo-Saxon Abbey and may be indicative of the movement of spoil around the Abbey Precinct or
from elsewhere in Romsey during the various later construction phases. These may however derive
from disturbed, earlier contexts within the Abbey area. Crystalline Tempered Ware is rare and 3 of
the 4 sherds are residual in post-dissolution deposits. Its presence in Romsey is important however,
even though it may not have been used in the Saxon abbey itself. A single sherd of Portchester-type
Ware is present, but again this is in a later deposit. Four of the 6 sherds of Winchester-type Ware
came from pre-dissolution deposits, principally the post-conquest construction deposits. As with the
other Anglo-Saxon wares these sherds may be residual, however their presence in greater (although
still small) quantities at the Abbey than elsewhere in Romsey may be significant. The Anglo-Saxon
pottery assemblage is generally typical of pottery from elsewhere in Romsey, however the sherds
themselves cannot generally be directly associated with their use within the Abbey. Not all of these
wares are local, and the presence of Winchester- and Portchester- type wares may be indicative of
wider contact, as may the sherds of Crystalline Tempered Ware.

A great quantity of sherds were recovered which date to the Saxo-Norman period, and the majority
are associated with the various Norman construction phases. Therefore they may be reflective of the
pottery consumed within the Abbey, or alternatively may be indicative of the movement of spoil
around the town during the construction of the Abbey. It is likely that both interpretations are true
to differing extents. There are a high number of Flint and Sand Tempered wares which likely date to
the earlier part of this phase (perhaps the 10th-12th centuries), which is followed by a transition to
Wessex Coarsewares (dated to the 12th-14th centuries). Some of the 194 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware
may include Late Saxon pottery produced at Michelmersh or elsewhere in the Winchester
wheelthrown sandy ware tradition. Given the ubiquity of these fabrics it is likely that they continued
to be produced well into the medieval period. No sherds could be identified as coming from the
distinctive Michelmersh-type pitchers. The Saxo-Norman assemblage appears similar to those
elsewhere in Romsey on the basis of the wares present, with the pottery generally being locally
sourced and seeing a transition from flint to sand tempered wares during the 10th-12th centuries.

The 13th-14th century glazed sandy ware assemblage is also similar to that elsewhere in Romsey.
Locally produced Laverstock-type Wares are the most common, followed by Southampton-type
Sandy Ware and South Hampshire Redware. Other Whitewares are also present in small quantities.
Imported wares are present in the form of Saintonge and Rouen-type jugs. These account for only a
tiny proportion of the wares present and do not demonstrate that the Abbey was a major consumer
of imported pottery. In fact, the wares present are also present in small quantities elsewhere in
Romsey and therefore suggest that the Abbey acquired pottery through similar means to the secular
households within the town. Much of the Saintonge Whiteware was recovered from post-dissolution
deposits, so some of these sherds could have been redeposited from elsewhere in the town.

A wide range of other wares are present in small quantities. These cannot generally be closely dated,
but the variety present does contrast to other sites in Romsey and may demonstrate that the Abbey
had some wider contacts. These include fabric FEQ1, possibly a Dorset Whiteware and finer flint and
chalk tempered wares possibly indicating some contact with the upper Test Valley or the Kennett
Valley. Iron rich sandy wares are common across Hampshire in the medieval period and some of
these wares are likely to date to the 14th-15th century, belonging to the late well fired sandy ware
tradition.

The most common late 14th-early 15th century ware is MQ4, a common ware throughout Romsey.
MQ3 and other late medieval Sandy Wares are also present in smaller quantities. Their presence in
pre-dissolution deposits is likely to relate to their use in the Abbey during the later medieval period.

The remaining wares date to the post-dissolution period. These clearly do not generally relate to the
occupation of the Abbey and may instead be related to other households in Romsey, who dumped
waste in the Abbey Precinct. Analysis of this material can only give insights in broad terms into the
supply of pottery to Romsey in the post medieval period. Surrey Wares are present in the form of
Tudor Green and Border Ware. Some sherds came from pre-dissolution deposits and these may have
been consumed within the Abbey in the latter phases of its occupation. Similarly, sherds of Maiolica
and Spanish Coarseware may have been consumed within the Abbey, but these are present in small
quantities elsewhere in the town. Rhenish Stoneware is present in small quantities and these types
are known from elsewhere in the town. A consideration of the earthenwares demonstrates that the
 Pre- Post-
Phase: Dissolution Dissolution Unphased
Ware SC SW SC SW SC SW
Prehistoric 4 7 2 65
Roman 33 232 2 11 10 122
Mid Saxon Organic Tempered 1 3
Shell tempered Ware 1 8
Flint tempered ware 8 109 2 17 4 64
Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 8 66 2 15 1 7
Chalk tempered ware 12 98 6 124 3 13
Crystalline tempered 1 5 3 128
Portchester-type Ware 1 16
Winchester-type Ware 4 139 1 10 1 7
Flint and sand tempered ware 35 455 9 198 11 60
Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 21 144 7 18 8 44
Flint tempered with coarse sand 177 1440
Wessex Coarseware 710 9522 91 983 38 376
Fine sandy ware 194 2049 23 209 10 84
Laverstock-type Ware 57 615 37 442 1 29
South Hampshire Redware 10 207 7 92 4 70
Southampton Sandy Ware 46 729 8 133 1 96
Local Whiteware 2 15
Surrey Whiteware 1 1 2 12
Saintonge Whiteware 11 111 13 125
Saintonge Polychrome 1 7 1 8
Rouen-type Ware 2 4
Medieval chalk tempered ware 1 14
ARG1 1 22
ARGmq1 1 18
CQfe1 1 9
FEQ1 2 7 1 14 1 4
FEQ3 1 6
FEQfqfe1 5 27 4 15 2 7
FQ2 2 13
FQ4 2 88
FQ5 1 30 2 28 2 15
FQarg1 4 74 15 155 2 13
FQarg2 1 3
FQarg3 1 12
FQc1 1 4 1 6
FQF1 2 57
FQfearg1 1 15
FQfeq1 13 265 4 57 1 15
MQargf1 2 34 2 41 3 80
MQargf2 2 23
MQfe2 27 399 2 112 2 16
MQfe3 4 30 3 64
 MQfe4 3 79 1 8 1 4
MQfearg1 1 2
MQfearg2 1 8
MQ3 5 49 6 129
MQ4 89 1509 27 286 6 105
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 3 11 3 13
Tudor Green 13 77 44 177 9 19
Border Ware 13 687 2 38 3 20
Frechen-type Stoneware 2 18
Raeren-type Stoneware 1 39 2 13
Westerwald Stoneware 3 39 2 15
Rhenish Stoneware 12 666 9 140
Low Countries Redware 3 10
Maiolica 2 21 2 4
Spanish Coarseware 6 222 2 63 1 63
Post Medieval Sandy Ware 5 80 14 67
Verwood 15 350 241 5701 74 3263
Post Medieval Brown Glazed 5 75 5 36 1 3
Post Medieval Redware 21 625 12 372 1 5
Tin Glazed Ware 2 16 5 40 3 12
Staffordshire White Salt Glazed Stoneware 5 8
Red Stoneware 1 8
Porcelain 6 24 8 41
Creamware 39 164 13 90 3 22
Pearlware 12 106
English Stoneware 9 62 54 1583 9 191
Refined Earthenware 48 192 223 8251 15 94
Industrial Slipware 1 1
Flower Pot 3 46 22 133 3 111
Misc. Medieval 56 397 1033 10768
Misc. Post Medieval 1 48
Unid 8 102 1 40
Total 1774 22529 1989 31197 261 5271
Table 12: Pottery Present in the Assemblage from Romsey Abbey.

Verwood area was the principle supplier of earthenware pottery to Romsey in the post medieval
period. Romsey was also a consumer of a number of industrially produced wares, including
Creamware, Pearlware and White Salt Glazed Stoneware from Staffordshire (amongst other places)
and Tin Glazed Ware from Bristol or London.

With the exception of a wider variety in the minority medieval fabrics then, the assemblage from
Romsey Abbey can be characterised as being fairly typical of assemblages from the town as a whole.
Pottery was generally sourced locally, with glazed sandy wares generally being sourced from the
Laverstock kilns and Wessex Coarseware dominating the 12th-14th century assemblage, with MQ4
being the most common ware in the 14th-15th centuries. Whilst their presence is remarkable, the
occurrence of Saintonge and Rouen-types is not unusual within the town and cannot be argued to be
reflective of the Abbey’s status.
Vessels Present (table 13)

Only the medieval forms present in the pre-dissolution phases will be discussed here, in order to
best consider the pottery forms consumed at the Abbey. Jars/Cooking pots are the most common
form in the assemblage. In the Saxo-Norman period these are principally present in Wessex
Coarseware or Fine Sandy Ware, demonstrating that these were sourced locally. The later vessels
are principally in MQ4. Jars are present in some sandy wares, including the iron rich sandy wares
MQfe2 and MQfe4, as well as in Southampton Sandy Ware and a single sherd in of Laverstock-type
Ware.

Jugs are the next most common form. A single sherd of Winchester-type Ware may be from a jug,
making this the earliest jug at the site. Some Wessex Coarseware sherds have been assigned to jugs,
but these may be from tripod pitchers. The bulk of the jugs date to the 13th-14th century and are
present in the various glazed sandy wares. This demonstrates that jugs were sourced from a wider
range of production centres than jars, but all types appear to have been available within the town. In
the late medieval period, as elsewhere in the town, there is a change with both jugs and jars being
present in fabric MQ4. Tripod pitchers are present in Wessex Coarseware and the iron rich MQfe3,
which could therefore be a Saxo-Norman type. Three spouted pitcher sherds are present in Wessex
Coarseware. It is noticeable that none of the distinctive Michelmersh-type Spouted pitchers were
identified.

Bowls/dishes would appear to be utilitarian coarseware vessels, rather than decorated serving
vessels. Most sherds are in Flint and Sand Tempered Ware or Wessex Coarseware. It is likely that
vessels in other materials were used for the serving of food. A relatively high number of sherds
appear to be from curfews, perhaps related to the various dormitories and kitchens within the
Abbey. Other forms include Dripping Pans, Lamps, Border Ware tripod pipkins and a Tudor Green
Chafing Dish, the latter 2 dating to the end of the Abbey’s occupation.
 Tpod Spout Bowl/ Chaf. Drip.
Form Jar/ Cpot Jug Pitch. Pitch. Dish Dish Curfew Pan Pipkin Lamp Unid.
Ware SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW
Flint tempered ware 3 54 5 55
Flint tempered with coarse sand
and chalk 3 12 5 54
Chalk tempered ware 1 10 11 88
Crystalline tempered 1 5
Winchester-type Ware 1 105 3 34
Flint and sand tempered ware 23 368 1 32 11 55
Flint and sand tempered ware
(Newbury type) 4 39 17 105
Flint tempered with coarse sand 8 239 2 40 167 1161
Wessex Coarseware 445 6088 30 455 6 47 3 498 3 57 17 183 11 504 2 51 193 1639
Fine sandy ware 112 1362 4 53 37 306 41 328
Laverstock-type Ware 1 5 25 316 1 14 30 280
South Hampshire Redware 8 182 2 25
Southampton Sandy Ware 5 116 34 547 7 66
Local Whiteware 2 15
Surrey Whiteware 1 1
Saintonge Whiteware 10 108 1 3
Saintonge Polychrome 1 7
Medieval chalk tempered ware 1 14
ARG1 1 22
ARGmq1 1 18
FEQ1 2 7
FEQ3 1 6
FEQfqfe1 4 20 1 7
FQ4 1 70 1 18
FQ5 1 30
FQarg1 3 70 1 4
FQc1 1 4
FQF1 2 57
FQfeq1 1 26 10 216 2 23
MQargf1 2 34
MQargf2 2 23
MQfe2 1 32 11 118 15 249
MQfe3 4 30
MQfe4 3 79
MQ3 1 8 4 41
MQ4 20 339 39 791 6 186 24 193
Late Medieval Sandy Ware 3 11
Tudor Green 9 71 1 2 3 4
Border Ware 4 161 6 440 3 86
Total 631 8799 192 3138 10 77 3 498 17 490 1 2 54 489 11 504 6 440 2 51 566 4734
Table 13: Medieval Vessel Forms Present in pre-Dissolution Deposits.
CONCLUSIONS
There are considerable difficulties in interpreting this assemblage. These have been caused by the
prolonged excavation and the confused state of the site archive. As with other Abbey sites large
dumps of secondary waste were not recovered and therefore much of the material is likely to be
redeposited. Some material from post-dissolution deposits may not relate to the occupation of the
Abbey at all. It has however been possible to characterise the assemblage in broad terms. The wares
present demonstrate that the Abbey, in general terms, consumed the same wares to secular
households in the town. A similar range of vessel forms are also present, sourced from similar
production centres. Whilst these deposits do not really allow us to better refine the dating of the
wares present, the assemblage does give us some insight into the consumption of pottery within the
Abbey and within Romsey as a whole.